Blizzard

Like a blizzard, students returned to Rockhurst and blanketed the campus with their friendly presence.  The dorms and hallways are once again astir with youthful vibrancy.  As I write, the KC Metro area is to get between 4 to 7 inches of snow and so I anticipate some good snowball fights on the quad, as well as greeting partially wet students tomorrow morning in my classes.

Rockhurst University rarely cancels classes because the majority of the student body lives here.  I have  a Nissan Sentra with front wheel drive and so usually don't have much of a problem making it in.  We'll see.

It's nice seeing things all fresh and white.  What a great new start to the semester.

Recognition

Well another year has started and I’m sure it will be a lot like the last one. In reflecting over the past, one need’s to recognize what one wishes to foster or improve. Towards the close of Dec 2010 I was notified that my blog spot was recognized in the following article: "Top 50 Blogs by Theology Professors", wherein Dan the Doc is listed at #3. Check it out:  ( http://www.masteroftheology.org/top-50-blogs-by-theology-professors.html#3 ). So I obviously have my work cut out for me to stay in the Top 50! I was surprised by the honor but obviously couldn’t have received the recognition without you the readers.

That’s the thing about recognition, it’s never a solo enterprise; it necessitates communal involvement. Rockhurst University gets a lot of recognition for its various achievements whether due to its faculty, student body, or staff. With the New Year just unfolding I’d encourage you to check out Rockhurst University as an academic community of distinction, and consider paying us a visit. I’m sure the next year holds lots of opportunities for celebration and excellence. Have a good one!  All the best.  Dan the Doc

http://www.rockhurst.edu/

Silence

If it were not for the silence in the hallways I wouldn't believe the semester is over already!  Where did it go?  This Fall came and went before I knew it.

This time of year is a time for silence and reflection.  I hope you get the time (or make the time) to relax and reflect on all the goodness that you have experienced.  Sometimes we get so busy we don't take the opportunity to reflect and be thankful, and to then cherish what is wholesome and life-giving.  In the hectic pace, it's too easy to think about the stress and all the things that have gone wrong.  During winter, earth takes a rest so that she might spring back with vibrancy.

May your winter break be restorative and give birth to renewed hope and joy.

World Cultures Day

We just had World Cultures Day which is a day dedicated to celebrating various countries and cultures around the globe.  I did a table on Ethiopia because I had spent a month there about five years ago.  I cooked Eythiopian Chicken Stew known as Doro Wat. This past World Cultures Day over fifty countries were represented.  I also got a table going for England, Scotland, and Wales once I heard no one was doing those countries.  That's the adjoining table to the right above.  See the pic below.  I managed to drum up some help from my colleague Dr. Alan Douglas who is from Scotland and now a US citizen, and one of his students who is Wlesh and has been to Wales also pitched in.

World Cultures Day is a fun event when people come to together and work together, honoring differences and rich diversity.  Rockhurst University strives to show how we are part of the global community.  Even our curriculum has a Global Perspectives Requirement with several courses having a global component.  Then there are some courses which are strictly Global Studies oriented.

I Spy on Steroids

Well our family went for a walk Sunday afternoon and my wife and I were blown away! Our seven year old daughter loves to play "I Spy" and she said, "I spy with my little eye something beginning with the letter 'G'." My wife and I tried and tried to no avail and had to beg for a clue. The clue was "It is something which is invisible and really can't be seen." My wife exclaimed: "Well, then how are we supposed to see it and guess it?" Our daughter giggled to her hearts content. My wife blurted out: "Gravity." No. I forget what things I came up with besides "gas." It went on and on and on until we gave up. We got another clue, "It can be seen in the trees." Huh? No idea. The answer: "Gap!"


Not to be outdone by a seven year old, I came up with: "I spy with my little eye something beginning with the letter "s," but it's tricky." Ou daughter asked, "Is it on a house?" My reply, "It can be." They eventually asked, "Can it be elsewhere?" I replied, "Yes." They eventually begged for the next letter. I said, "Aha, that's important, 'h'." I todl my daughter, "I know you can get this." She eventually did: "shadow."

She came back with, "I spy with my little eye something beginning with the letter 'S' and it's always found on a surface." We tried and tried. I begged for the next letter. She replied "C." I asked if it were hard or soft. "Hard." That didn't help and of course by that time we had walked past the original thing. She said, "It quite often is found in a museum." Aargh. I begged for the next sound. "ool" HUH? The answer "Sculpture!"

So what's in your mind? How do YOU perceive the world? Part of a Rockhurst education delves into that very dynamic: perception. The Liberal Arts program offers seven different perspectives on viewing and interpreting the world and our experiences. Check us out. http://www.rockhurst.edu/academic/deansoffice/liberalcore.asp

Half a Million Dollars & Service w/ a Smile

One of the things that is part of a Rockhurst University education is getting involved in community service.  One of our Greek sororities, the Zetas, has taken on the task of promoting the local Catholic school of Our Lady of the Presentation in Lee's Summit, MO that serves grades kindergarten through 8.  Kohl's Cares for Kids is running a contest to see which private school in the nation can get the most votes.  Presently (to my knowledge) Our Lady of the Presentation is ranked #15.  The top 20 schools in the nation with the most votes will each be awarded HALF A MILLION DOLLARS!

Because the closing date is September 3rd (2010), one can't take being in 15th place as a shoe-in.  That can change hour by hour.  To vote, follow this link and keep in mind that you are allowed (and encouraged!) to vote FIVE TIMES.  http://www.voteolp.com/

I live in Lee's Summit and this is the Roman Catholic parish I attend when I'm not attending the Byzantine Catholic parish which is nearby in Sugar Creek.  (To find out about that church—which doesn't run a school—check out this link: http://easterncatholicskc.blogspot.com/ )

Rockhurst University gets quite involved in the local community and has all sorts of Service Learning projects.  Check us out.  http://www.rockhurst.edu/services/service/index.asp

Back At It

Well we're back at it.  I can't believe more than a full week of classes has come and gone!  I'm once again teaching Intro to NT Greek and the students are awesome.  They're catching on pretty quick.  It's a fun class.  I have 25 students.

I'm also teaching the Honor's version of TH 1000, and that group is really great as well.  So we're off to a good start.

Yesterday I met with a prospective student who's a senior in St. Louis who's thinking about majoring in theology.  While theology might not be your thing, definitely think about coming to Rockhurst University to check out the wide range of majors and programs we offer and all the exciting classes.

And don't miss our Centennial bash!   http://www.rockhurst.edu/centennial/index.asp